Nothing beats the buzz of a busy room filled with like-minded professionals building connections and sharing knowledge, from national networks to informal local gatherings the options to elevate your network have grown substantially in recent years.
Networking events provide the perfect opportunity to raise your company profile, gain new contacts and learn new skills and generate referrals. We are fortunate in the region to have an array of free and paid for networking events and membership options on the scene, here are some of our top picks.
Durham Business Club is a fee-paying membership-based organisation that runs events throughout County Durham and the wider North East area. Members get access to two informal networking events a month at an ever-changing programme of venues. With over 3,000 members The Mussel Club is one of the largest networks within the North East business community. Hosting a variety of free networking events in some of the best venues the region from the
Hard Rock Cafe to Sunderland’s new state of the art City Hall. The newly formed 2020 Club is specifically aimed at businesses which have launched since January 2020. Co-ran by Inside Out Communications Consulting and Riverside Marketing Solutions the duo both started their businesses in March 2020 and joined forces to set up the group to provide advice and support to fellow start-ups in the region.
Business Works @LumleyCastle is a free to join monthly network brunch featuring business speakers from across the North East region. The business membership club invites members to meet peers at a complimentary monthly lunch, benefit from discounted hospitality and accommodation and develop interconnected partnerships and collaborations that spark innovation and growth.
NE1 Ltd Business Breakfast is an informal networking event hosted in venues across Newcastle showcasing city and region wide updates. The North East Chamber of Commerce run a huge programme of B2B events with over 200 events running across the region in varied formats.
Pepperells and Gino D’Acampo’s recently launched their popular after work Pizza and Prosecco event running on the last Thursday of the month, priced at £15 for pizza and a glass of chilled fizz at the popular Quayside spot. Hot on the networking scene and promising to take your business to new heights, 3Sixty will be launching their first Networking event this month. Guests will have the chance to sample cocktails with tasters from the menu, plus the venue will be distributing a brand new and exclusive VIP Black card which will entitle the holder to discounts and offers.
A number of sporting venues are giving the networking scene a sporting chance too, the all-new Newcastle United Business Club has seen phenomenal backing and hit the ground running with an influx of sign-ups. Newcastle Falcons have teamed up with Newcastle Rugby Foundation to run ad hoc events throughout the season. The first networking event will launch this month at Kingston Park Stadium to launch their new Purpose Strategy.
Keeping with the community feel SAFC’s Foundation of Light Corporate Club members get access to regular Business Breakfast events featuring presentations from regional business experts through their paid membership including a sought after seat at the Fixtures Breakfast.
Networking promises a great avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits in a host of informal settings and with all these options networking never sounded so good!
